Foothills MP John Barlow. (John Barlow on Facebook)

By David Opinko

Foothills MP John Barlow appointed to Standing Committee on Health

Oct 9, 2020 | 11:13 AM

CROWSNEST PASS, AB – One of Southwestern Alberta’s Members of Parliament has a prominent new role in the federal government.

Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole appointed John Barlow, the MP for the Foothills riding, to the Standing Committee on Health.

“It’s a great honour and a privilege to be shown that kind of level of confidence and trust to take on a role that will be a very prominent committee and it will be tasked with taking on some very significant issues.”

The committee studies issues, bills, and regulations that relate to Health Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency, and the Public Health Agency of Canada.

“With my background in agriculture, I’ll be focusing on food security and food safety with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the [Pest Management Regulatory Agency], as well as dealing with cannabis issues and the opioid crisis, which is certainly something that’s very prominent in my riding and in Southern Alberta.”

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As with most things in 2020, however, the committee will place a large emphasis on the COVID-19 pandemic and how the Liberal government has handled it.

Barlow says a top priority of his will be to ensure Canadians can utilize COVID-19 rapid tests.

“I think that is something we are well behind our G7 allies in terms of accessing that kind of technology, and by having that, that will have a significant impact not only on our economy but our ability to travel, kids going to school, those types of things.”

With Barlow’s appointment, he is the fourth member of the Conservative Party of Canada to be on the committee. He said he was pleased to learn that he will be serving alongside someone he knows and respects, Calgary Nose Hill MP Michelle Rempel Garner.

Committee appointments generally last until the end of each MP’s term in office, although they can be shuffled around as necessary.

You can learn more about the Standing Committee on Health, including which MPs are part of it, here.

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